Roles of Uke and Nage

ROLES OF UKE AND NAGE

Aikido training is based primarily on two partners practicing pre-arranged forms (kata) rather than freestyle practice.

The basic pattern is for the receiver of the technique (uke) to initiate an attack against the thrower (nage), who neutralises this attack with an aikido technique. Both halves of the technique, that of uke and that of nage, are considered essential to Aikido training. Both are studying Aikido principles of blending and adaptation. Nage learns to blend with and control the attacking force, while uke learns to become calm and flexible in the disadvantageous, off-balance positions in which nage places them. This "receiving" of the technique is called ukemi.

Ukemi refers to the art of receiving a technique. Good ukemi involves blending or breakfalls that are used to avoid pain or injury, such as joint dislocations or atemi (strikes) - although Aikido is not an aggressive art it is necessary to sometimes lead the mind of your partner or potential aggressor - a well-placed strike at the right time may well help this.